Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Before she could enter the kitchen, a stern warning came from behind her. “River, just this once!”
Her body stiffened as she locked eyes with him, her eyes red. ‘If you cherished whatever was in that drawer so much, you shouldn’t have allowed me to stay here.”
Noah’s anger had yet to subside, his handsome face still icy.
“I’ll kick you out when I grow tired of you,” he stated coldly.
With that, he turned and ascended the stairs, his posture exuding cruelty and aloofness.
River took a few steps back, leaning weakly against the wall.
Did she have to wait until he grew tired of her?
As expected, she found herself devoid of any sense of dignity in his presence.
As she wiped away her disappointed tears, her phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated.
River’s weariness was instantly evident as she retrieved her phone and saw her father’s call.
Suppressing the pain in her ankle, she hurriedly left the kitchen to answer the call.
“Hello,” River’s voice sounded dull.
“Why didn’t you call me, River?” Bradley asked
River replied, “You added my number to your blacklist because you were afraid someone would trace you through me. Did you forget?”
Bradley let out an awkward laugh. “Yes, I forgot. Never mind. Where are you now?”
“I’m working overtime,” River responded
Bradley commented, “Ah, working overtime is good. You can earn more. River, do you have any money now?”
River tightened her grip on the glass in her hand. Did he care about nothing besides money? Had he forgotten so quickly that he left her alone at the casino the other day?
“I don’t. I used all my money to repay your debt!” River’s voice turned harsh.
“Even if you have a few dollars, it’s fine. Don’t you have anything? Bradley grew anxious.
Bitterness welled up in her heart. “Dad, are you trying to push me to a desperate end? You never paid for Mom’s medical expenses, and I even repaid your debt. What more do you want?”
“Why are you saying that? I raised you. So what if I use some of your money?” Bradley retorted.
A brief sniff escaped her before she suppressed her emotions and explained, “I don’t have any money. Just wait until next month.”
“No!” He angrily interrupted. “I want the money now. If you don’t give it to me, you’re ungrateful!”
“Do you want to gamble again? Haven’t you learned your lesson from the other day?” River trembled with anger.
“Show some respect. You’re talking to your father!” Bradley shouted. “Fine, you don’t want to give it to me? Then I’ll cause a scene at your workplace. Let’s see who will be embarrassed!”
“30 dollars!” River’s voice trembled with fury. “That’s all I have right now.”
“Fine! It’s enough for me to get a meal. Transfer it to me now.”
After ending the call, River weakly leaned her hand against the kitchen counter, tears streaming down her cheeks incessantly.
Why did she have such a father?
For consecutive days, River hardly left her bedroom.
She was suffering from severe morning sickness and rapid weight loss due to the looming deadline for a competition draft.
Finally, she came up with an idea and completed her draft, allowing her to finally rest that day.
In the evening, she went downstairs to have dinner.
Coincidentally, Noah entered the house with determined strides.
Upon noticing her exhausted and pale appearance, his brows furrowed deeply.
Though they had only been apart for a few days, she had evidently subjected herself to such torture.
Did she intentionally push herself to such limits in order to gain his sympathy?
River averted her gaze from him indifferently and took a seat at the dining table.
As she laid eyes on the dishes, the overwhelming nausea forced her to rush towards the washroom once again
Noah’s mood darkened at the sight, wondering if she found him repulsive
Just then, Lily emerged from the kitchen with dishes in hand. Upon spotting Noah, she quickly approached him. “Mr. De Marco, you’re back.”
He loosened his tie. “Hasn’t she been eating?”
Worry filled Lily’s face. “Ms. Healy has been burning the midnight oil lately. She has become noticeably slimmer, and her eating habits have become irregular.”
“Burning the midnight oil?” Noah glanced towards the tightly shut washroom. “What has she been working on?”
Lily gestured towards the discarded drafts on the table that she had yet to dispose of. “She has
-been sketching.”
Noah casually picked up one of the discarded drafts and examined it.
‘A fashion design draft? He fell into deep thought. Designing was not listed on her resume. When did she start learning it?‘
While Noah was still perusing the drafts, River emerged from the washroom. Her expression changed when she noticed that he was looking at her drafts, She rushed forward to snatch them
“Don’t look at those.”
Noah raised an eyebrow and shot her a sidelong glance.
River quickly fabricated a lie. “I was bored, so I learned it online to pass the time. Otherwise, I would have been extremely bored since I can’t go out.”
Noah fell silent for a moment. “Accompany me to an auction tomorrow.”
River was taken aback by the request. In the past, when she accompanied him to auctions, she had to drink wine on his behalf. But now that she was pregnant, she couldn’t consume alcohol. Hence, she tried declining. “I’m experiencing discomfort in my stomach, so I can’t have wine.”
Displeasure instantly marred his handsome face. “That’s not my concern.”
Lowering her gaze, River inquired, “Why don’t you ask Ms. Love to accompany you?”
He sat down at the dining table and picked up a fork gracefully. ‘It’s not suitable for her to attend such events.”
A bitter laughter escaped her lips.
Auctions were often associated with social interactions, and scenes like these often had individuals with questionable intentions. It didn’t surprise her that he wouldn’t want his beloved woman to be exposed to such people.
Unable to refuse him, she reluctantly agreed.
It was the sad truth, that in his eyes, she was insignificant.
On Saturday afternoon, Noah arranged for a stylist to assist River in getting ready.
River possessed delicate facial features and exuded a classical charm.
With just a touch of makeup from the artist, her allure surpassed that of others.
Her gown was a black, shoulder–baring dress with a high slit, lending a mysterious aura to her already charming and flawless figure.
Once she had changed her attire, she approached Noah
However, his eyes darkened upon a single glance. “Put on a different dress.”
Who did she intend to reveal her cleavage to? Noah thought sourly.
River was left speechless by Noah’s remark.
She had always worn such gowns in the past, so why was he prohibiting it now?
Unwilling to argue, she changed into a white long gown with a deep back V, hoping it would meet his approval.
However, Noah’s expression grew even more somber when he saw it.
The most alluring feature of her body was her back, slim and upright with two captivating shoulder blades that never failed to awaken his most primal desires in the bedroom.
Those should be reserved for his eyes only. However, now, she wanted to display them to the world Who was she trying to seduce?
With a somber face, Noah walked toward a row of dresses.
After examining two options, he selected a conservative, pink, long dress that perfectly complemented her temperament.
Once she changed into the chosen dress, none of her alluring body parts were exposed. Satisfied,
he accompanied her as they left and got into the car. Once inside, he handed her a shoe box.
River looked at him in shock. “Is this for me?”
Noah glanced at her. “If not for you, then for whom? Reuben, perhaps?”